4th Grade Gallery
Self Portraits in Clay
Originally inspired by Warhol's Pop Art Portraits, we changed our mind and went realistic with our colors. 4th graders used a photograph of themselves and a cool transfer method to get the portrait to the clay. Then they used carving tools to "etch" the contour lines into the clay. Finished off with some very cool "Jazz" paint and recycled wire from the school's lighting switch-out, the portraits were complete - completely AMAZING!
Birch Trees
4th graders learned about three areas of an artwork: Foreground, Middleground and Background.
In order to create depth, trees that are in the foreground are BIGGER and LOWER on the page. Middle ground trees are medium in size and higher on the page. Background trees are the smallest and the highest on the page.
Students printed their birch trees using a dipping and scraping method over a watercolor background. To finish their landscape, the students added oil pastel details on the trees, sky and forest floor.
In order to create depth, trees that are in the foreground are BIGGER and LOWER on the page. Middle ground trees are medium in size and higher on the page. Background trees are the smallest and the highest on the page.
Students printed their birch trees using a dipping and scraping method over a watercolor background. To finish their landscape, the students added oil pastel details on the trees, sky and forest floor.
Sunflower Paintings
A favorite and back by popular demand...4th graders learned about Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) and his painting style. Born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh is known for creating expressive paintings characterized by intense color and turbulent brush strokes. His famous paintings include: Sunflowers, Self Portraits, Starry Night, The Potato Eaters Look at these AMAZING masterpieces!
Yearbook Finalists!
These designs will be featured in the yearbook.
Square 1 Art - Sunflower Study
2014-2015 Artwork Below
(Faux) Stained Glass
Haiku in Clay
4th graders learned about a traditional Japanese form of poetry - the Haiku. The three line poem, consisting of three lines and seventeen syllables, is written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. This form of poetry is inspired by nature. 4th graders did an excellent job of creating their own Haiku poem. They created texture in their clay tiles with real leaves, grasses, flowers as well as some texture plates and stamps. After adding texture, students used alphabet noodles to "stamp" their verse into the clay! Great job 4th graders!
Blind Contour Self Portraits
Blog Post (The students know how much I totally LOVE THESE!)
Memory Plates
How do artists communicate through clay? Our 4th grade artists created a clay plate based on a favorite memory or story in their lives. Without writing sentences, how do you communicate your feeling through color, pattern, and words? Well, here's how!
Extreme Close-ups!
4th graders studied human and animal eyes CLOSE UP. Wow! (Check this out. Note it will take you to another site.) Using oil pastel, students zoomed in on an eye (or two) to capture all the colors and reflections. They did an amazing job at blending and creating a realistic eye with this medium!
Mexican-inspired Tin Ornaments
Sunflowers a la Van Gogh
Back by popular demand...4th graders learned about Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) and his painting style. Born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh is known for creating expressive paintings characterized by intense color and turbulent brush strokes. His famous paintings include: Sunflowers, Self Portraits, Starry Night, The Potato Eaters Look at these AMAZING masterpieces!
Yearbook Theme Drawings
Every year, 4th graders create designs for the yearbook cover based on the school theme. Congratulations to Mabia S. whose
Fox drawing will grace our 2014-2015 yearbook! Congratulations also goes
to Charlotte H., Sara B., Madi R., Patrick D., Amanda M., Anna Grace N., Billy
K., Elizabeth K., and Paige B. whose drawings will be featured on the back
cover. I have included those selections as well as just some of all the other fabulous ones. The selection committee had a very difficult job!
Square 1 Art Super Sunflowers
4th graders studied the shape, texture and color of the sunflower. These amazing drawings are also our practice for the upcoming Sunflower painting a la Vincent Van Gogh.
2013-2014 Artwork below
VA Region License Plates
Blind Contour Drawings
"The student fixes their eyes on the outline of the model or object, then tracks the edge of the object with his or her eyes, while simultaneously drawing the contour very slowly, in a steady, continuous line without lifting the pencil or looking at the paper."
4th graders did an amazing job of teaching their eyes to communicate with their pen. These self portraits were the HIT of the recent HCPS Fine Arts Festival!
4th graders did an amazing job of teaching their eyes to communicate with their pen. These self portraits were the HIT of the recent HCPS Fine Arts Festival!
Clay Creations inspired by Birds
4th graders learned about the coil method, slab method and also refreshed on the pinch pot method. These three main clay techniques helped students to create a clay vessel inspired by feathery friends! Finished off with lovely glazes, they look wonderful!
Self Portraits inspired by Kehinde Wiley
4th graders were introduced to the art of Kehinde Wiley. One of his works can be found right here in Richmond at the VMFA (click)! Wiley finds inspiration in the Classical European paintings of noblemen, royalty and aristocrats. Although his paintings look back to historical sources, his subjects are modern, giving the viewer a juxtaposition to contemplate. (Ms. Kim, Student Teacher)
Vincent Van Gogh-inspired Sunflower Paintings
4th graders learned about Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) and his painting style. Born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh is known for creating expressive paintings characterized by intense color and turbulent brush strokes. His famous paintings include: Sunflowers, Self Portraits, Starry Night, The Potato Eaters Look at these AMAZING masterpieces!
Collographs
Collograph (or collagraph) is a basic method of printmaking using a board with collage materials glued onto it to form a relief surface with a variety of textures. A very creative and experimental form of printmaking, collograph prints can be made with many different materials. 4th graders used poster board and cardboard to create a collage with their choice of subject. Using a brayer (roller), students used the three basic colors of printing - cyan, magenta and yellow - and created these amazing collographs!
Yearbook Fox Drawings
Congratulations to Sophie, Alexander, Katelyn, Anna, Amaya, Sammy, Victoria, Kate, Mary Kate and Preston! Their themed fox drawings will be featured on the front and back of the yearbook!
2012-2013 Artwork Below
Summer Reflection Portraits
Clay Owls
Fish Prints
What is great about printing?! Being able to print your design (fish) over and over again! Perfect for our swimming schools of fish. They were printed on special backgrounds - tissue paper, marbled paper (ask them about the shaving creme), and rolled patterned paint.
Lichtenstein-inspired Self Portraits
After learning about and discussing Roy Lichtenstein's artwork, 4th graders started with an iPad and a plan. "How can I express a feeling and myself visually using Lichtenstein's Pop Art style?" Using the Sketchbook X app and iPads (see 2/21/13 post), students took a photograph of themselves and then created a contour line drawing on top of their photograph. Students learned about Lichtenstein's exaggerated Benday Dots and the drama he added to his work. Working very diligently, students filled in certain sections of their portraits with "benday dots" and also added solid areas if desired. The final touch (optional) was a thought or speech bubble adding to their expressive self portrait. Amazing job 4th graders!
Magazine Collages
Got paper? Students recycled old magazines into art - piece by piece. They worked hard - look at the amazing results!
Action: Chihuly
Students have had fun getting to know Dale Chihuly and his art. Although most well known for his amazing glass installations and sculptures, Chihuly is also a prolific two dimensional artist as well. After seeing videos of Chihuly draw, drip, squirt and sweep colors over large paper, 4th graders wanted to try it out. Check out additional blog entries for more information on our Chihuly projects.
What's Your Perspective?
4th graders looked at fall trees a little differently. Imagine yourself lying on some nice green grass looking up into a web of beautifully colored fall leaves.
Perspective = the technique or process of representing on a plane or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as they might appear to the eye; specifically : representation in a drawing or painting of parallel lines as converging in order to give the illusion of depth and distance.
Perspective = the technique or process of representing on a plane or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as they might appear to the eye; specifically : representation in a drawing or painting of parallel lines as converging in order to give the illusion of depth and distance.
NFES Super Hero Foxes!
4th graders created "Super Hero Foxes" (this year's school theme) for the yearbook.
Check out the 11/9/2012 and 9/28/2012 blog posts for more details!.
Check out the 11/9/2012 and 9/28/2012 blog posts for more details!.